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magic612
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 552
Loc: Somewhere south of Chicago, IL
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So perusing Craigslist for inexpensive 60mm refractors for a project I'm working on, when I happened across this Sears Discoverer 60mm refractor, model 6333-A. At first I wasn't interested, but the more I thought about having a 60mm f/15 refractor, I started to like the idea more and more. PLUS, the gentleman selling it wasn't asking for much, and it looked pretty complete.
Turns out, it was about 97% complete! (See update/correction below.)
I think just about everything is there. All three eyepieces, barlow, sun screen, moon filter, sun filter (YIKES! the little kind), full tripod with eyepiece holder AND tension chain, accessory tray light, equatorial mount WITH slow motion controls, wood box with styrofoam and finderscope - such as it is. Oh yes, and TWO instruction manuals.
Ah, yes... the finderscope. That's the 3% missing part. The focuser tube of that is, well... missing. (See update/correction below.) The eyepiece is there, the tube/lens is there, and the bracket is there, but not the focuser tube. Though considering how complete the whole thing is, I'm not complaining!!!
Since I just got it earlier today, I haven't looked at the night sky yet, but the views I did of some far away trees with both the 20mm Kellner (included) and my own 25mm Plossl with a .965" to 1.25" diagonal I still had laying around showed some VERY crisp views, and with no discernible chromatic aberration. Even the included barlow - which does have two chips on the lens - gives pretty darn decent views, as the chips are on the edge of the lens and not in the center, fortunately. (I didn't even try the 9mm or 4mm eyepieces, as they look like the typical teensy exit pupil eyepieces included in most inexpensive scopes sold today.) Views looked nice through my Orion 14mm EPIC eyepiece, and my 25mm Kellner with a barlow was very nice indeed!
Anyway, I took some pictures in case anyone else happens across one of these and is interested in what they may be missing or have. Any questions, ask away - and of course, if you happen to have a finder focuser tube for one of these things that you don't need, I'd sure be interested in it!
Oh, and the price was unbeatable!
Edited by magic612 (09/18/09 06:22 PM)
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magic612
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 552
Loc: Somewhere south of Chicago, IL
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Some more pictures:
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- Celestron C8+, Orion 90mm f/10, Orion ST-80, 5" f/8 Dob, 127mm f/9.4 refractor, 114mm f/8 on DS GoTo, 60mm Sears 6333-A, 127mm f4.4 refractor lens (current project), 12" f/5 mirror (future project)
- Orion Vista 10x50s (5 deg), Sears #6207 7x35 (7 deg), Jason #138 Statesman 7x35 (11.5 deg)
Yes, I'm addicted to telescopes and binoculars. I am getting help. Every time I look at the heavens, it helps.
http://www.eyesonthesky.com
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magic612
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 552
Loc: Somewhere south of Chicago, IL
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Here's the finder showing where the missing focuser tube should be:
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- Celestron C8+, Orion 90mm f/10, Orion ST-80, 5" f/8 Dob, 127mm f/9.4 refractor, 114mm f/8 on DS GoTo, 60mm Sears 6333-A, 127mm f4.4 refractor lens (current project), 12" f/5 mirror (future project)
- Orion Vista 10x50s (5 deg), Sears #6207 7x35 (7 deg), Jason #138 Statesman 7x35 (11.5 deg)
Yes, I'm addicted to telescopes and binoculars. I am getting help. Every time I look at the heavens, it helps.
http://www.eyesonthesky.com
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magic612
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 552
Loc: Somewhere south of Chicago, IL
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A couple more detail pictures:
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- Celestron C8+, Orion 90mm f/10, Orion ST-80, 5" f/8 Dob, 127mm f/9.4 refractor, 114mm f/8 on DS GoTo, 60mm Sears 6333-A, 127mm f4.4 refractor lens (current project), 12" f/5 mirror (future project)
- Orion Vista 10x50s (5 deg), Sears #6207 7x35 (7 deg), Jason #138 Statesman 7x35 (11.5 deg)
Yes, I'm addicted to telescopes and binoculars. I am getting help. Every time I look at the heavens, it helps.
http://www.eyesonthesky.com
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magic612
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 552
Loc: Somewhere south of Chicago, IL
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UPDATE / CORRECTION: The finder focuser assembly is there and complete. It was placed in the finder tube backwards (which I didn't realize, because the instruction manual didn't make it clear). I found a picture online of a complete 6333, and it had a close up picture of the finder at the eyepiece end. I went and looked at my finder and "Voila!" - it was all there.
Of course, the threads on the inside the tube were stripped, so it wouldn't stay put that way - probably explaining why it was in backwards. But a little plumber's Teflon tape wrapped around the focuser threads and whaddya know? It works great.
AND... now I know EVERYTHING IS THERE!
--------------------
- Celestron C8+, Orion 90mm f/10, Orion ST-80, 5" f/8 Dob, 127mm f/9.4 refractor, 114mm f/8 on DS GoTo, 60mm Sears 6333-A, 127mm f4.4 refractor lens (current project), 12" f/5 mirror (future project)
- Orion Vista 10x50s (5 deg), Sears #6207 7x35 (7 deg), Jason #138 Statesman 7x35 (11.5 deg)
Yes, I'm addicted to telescopes and binoculars. I am getting help. Every time I look at the heavens, it helps.
http://www.eyesonthesky.com
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magic612
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 552
Loc: Somewhere south of Chicago, IL
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No thoughts on this?
Maybe this will help: Does anyone know what year(s) this model was made? I can't find a date on anything - not even the instruction manuals.
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- Celestron C8+, Orion 90mm f/10, Orion ST-80, 5" f/8 Dob, 127mm f/9.4 refractor, 114mm f/8 on DS GoTo, 60mm Sears 6333-A, 127mm f4.4 refractor lens (current project), 12" f/5 mirror (future project)
- Orion Vista 10x50s (5 deg), Sears #6207 7x35 (7 deg), Jason #138 Statesman 7x35 (11.5 deg)
Yes, I'm addicted to telescopes and binoculars. I am getting help. Every time I look at the heavens, it helps.
http://www.eyesonthesky.com
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Chuck Faranda
super member
Reged: 03/31/07
Posts: 140
Loc: Florida
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I think the blue colored scopes first appeared in the mid 60s, maybe 1966??? I have one just like it. I guess the date 66-73. I'm not an expert on the Sears history, and like you could not find any old catalogs to verify.
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Regards,
Chuck Faranda
See my vintage scopes at http://ccdastro.com/vintage.html
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David E
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/25/06
Posts: 3020
Loc: North Carolina
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Great find there! I have a 6305A that's very similar, but with a silver tube. Nice to know you actually had the focuser drawtube, that had me worried there. Mine was purchased originally in the early 70's, I acquired it last year.
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David E
If you keep a stack of old Orion catalogs in your bathroom, you might be an astro-redneck.
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magic612
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 552
Loc: Somewhere south of Chicago, IL
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After doing a bit of research to find out more about the Sears scopes, old Sears catalogs are available in a few places. I think I'll check with my wife (who works at our local library) and see if she might be able to locate a few catalogs from that timeframe. We might be able to compile a better list of what was available when.
I'll let you know what I can find out.
--------------------
- Celestron C8+, Orion 90mm f/10, Orion ST-80, 5" f/8 Dob, 127mm f/9.4 refractor, 114mm f/8 on DS GoTo, 60mm Sears 6333-A, 127mm f4.4 refractor lens (current project), 12" f/5 mirror (future project)
- Orion Vista 10x50s (5 deg), Sears #6207 7x35 (7 deg), Jason #138 Statesman 7x35 (11.5 deg)
Yes, I'm addicted to telescopes and binoculars. I am getting help. Every time I look at the heavens, it helps.
http://www.eyesonthesky.com
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AlienFirstClass
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/13/09
Posts: 738
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Any info anyone comes up with on this subject, I would appreciate you posting it.
There is very little available here on CN.
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magic612
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 552
Loc: Somewhere south of Chicago, IL
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Well, my wife emailed me and said that the library in our area system doesn't allow the catalogs to be borrowed through inter-library loan (makes sense, given how much some of them are sold for on auction sites).
However, she's going to check and see if they can copy any of the telescope pages in them (though I'm doubtful); or, the library at the University of Chicago appears to have a mostly complete selection of them from about '64 through '78, as well as some other years.
I'll see about perhaps getting a day pass one of these days and heading up that way to do some research on what was available when. And if someone else has the inclination, there are a number of other libraries that have Sears catalogs (at least on microfilm, and perhaps hard copies):
http://www.searsarchives.com/catalogs/questions/findcatalogs.htm
--------------------
- Celestron C8+, Orion 90mm f/10, Orion ST-80, 5" f/8 Dob, 127mm f/9.4 refractor, 114mm f/8 on DS GoTo, 60mm Sears 6333-A, 127mm f4.4 refractor lens (current project), 12" f/5 mirror (future project)
- Orion Vista 10x50s (5 deg), Sears #6207 7x35 (7 deg), Jason #138 Statesman 7x35 (11.5 deg)
Yes, I'm addicted to telescopes and binoculars. I am getting help. Every time I look at the heavens, it helps.
http://www.eyesonthesky.com
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Chuck Faranda
super member
Reged: 03/31/07
Posts: 140
Loc: Florida
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Some catalogs on line http://www.wishbookweb.com/
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Regards,
Chuck Faranda
See my vintage scopes at http://ccdastro.com/vintage.html
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magic612
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 552
Loc: Somewhere south of Chicago, IL
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Hey Chuck - that's a great resource. Odd though, I couldn't find the telescope I just picked up in any of the ones from about '58 through '78.
Were there different Sears catalogs that might have had more scopes in them? I also couldn't find model numbers listed in the catalogs - they seemed to be catalog part numbers instead. Was that typical?
--------------------
- Celestron C8+, Orion 90mm f/10, Orion ST-80, 5" f/8 Dob, 127mm f/9.4 refractor, 114mm f/8 on DS GoTo, 60mm Sears 6333-A, 127mm f4.4 refractor lens (current project), 12" f/5 mirror (future project)
- Orion Vista 10x50s (5 deg), Sears #6207 7x35 (7 deg), Jason #138 Statesman 7x35 (11.5 deg)
Yes, I'm addicted to telescopes and binoculars. I am getting help. Every time I look at the heavens, it helps.
http://www.eyesonthesky.com
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nytewind1
journeyman
Reged: 02/26/09
Posts: 5
Loc: Mooresville, NC
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This thread popped up while I was searching on the Sears Discoverer. The model 6333-A was my first scope and I recently recovered it from my parents house. Looks just like yours and its in the original box with all original packing and accessories. The scope is in excellent condition and the objective had some dust on it. I found the manual inside and it also was supplied with a book, "The Telescope and the World of Astronomy", which was packaged under the bottom right styrofoam. Authored by Marvin F. Riemer and published by Scope Science library, it shows a third edition publishing date of 1967. Maybe this will help in determining the date or catalog which I fondly remember looking at for hours since I asked 'Santa' for one.
Brian G
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magic612
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 552
Loc: Somewhere south of Chicago, IL
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What's been most frustrating in determining dates of sale / manufacture is that the Sears catalogs don't seem to list the model number of the scopes. The link that Chuck listed is great for perusal, but in terms of researching which telescopes were sold when - well, I can't find anything in those catalogs that shows the model numbers to match up when each model was sold.
Does anyone know anything further about that? Has anyone been able to match up their scope with a picture/description in the catalogs anywhere?
In addition to that, my wife was able to track down a library that "supposedly" has Sears catalogs dating a long way back, so we requested copies of the telescope pages (which they initially said they could do, since they don't lend them out) and then when she called them back, they said they don't have any Sears catalogs. HUH?!?!? She tells me that they probably didn't want to take the time to do that, and because this library is 150 miles away from us, we won't be getting there anytime soon. Especially if they don't really have them!
Sheesh. I can understand why there doesn't seem to be much information available about these Sears scopes. It's not easy to find what we're looking for.
--------------------
- Celestron C8+, Orion 90mm f/10, Orion ST-80, 5" f/8 Dob, 127mm f/9.4 refractor, 114mm f/8 on DS GoTo, 60mm Sears 6333-A, 127mm f4.4 refractor lens (current project), 12" f/5 mirror (future project)
- Orion Vista 10x50s (5 deg), Sears #6207 7x35 (7 deg), Jason #138 Statesman 7x35 (11.5 deg)
Yes, I'm addicted to telescopes and binoculars. I am getting help. Every time I look at the heavens, it helps.
http://www.eyesonthesky.com
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DaveTinning
member
Reged: 01/03/09
Posts: 44
Loc: Central England
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That's a nice refractor you have found there..looks to a Brit like me (where Sears brand is unknown) like a typical Towa Circle T 60mm refractor from the late 60s-70s. My first proper scope looked similar, but was Henry Ford white. I got that in 1969 and it was branded Prinz and sold by Dixons, a photoshop chain in England.
These little old 60mm scopes are great fun and optically better than many modern scopes, with their long Focal length meaning great colour correction. They excel on double stars. Don't write off the original small EPs just because they are small and field of view isn't huge..they often perform very well (just ask Zeiss fans!), especially the longer focal length ones of 20mm and more. But do NOT use the Sun filter..!! They are positively dangerous and DO break.
I have a nice Tasco 14TE which gives great views of doubles, similar sized tube and accessories...the mount looks identical. I attach a pic for your interest..
Thanks for sharing your new toy with us and I hope you enjoy your first light 
Dave
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nytewind1
journeyman
Reged: 02/26/09
Posts: 5
Loc: Mooresville, NC
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Well some good news I suppose. I became very curious about the catalog pages myself and first found the link of libraries with archived catalogs:
http://www.searsarchives.com/catalogs/questions/findcatalogs.htm
I found two libraries in North Carolina which showed that they did have microfilm copies of the catalog in the closed stacks. I'm going to have to make a day trip though to retrieve the info. The quest is on!
Brian G
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magic612
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/30/08
Posts: 552
Loc: Somewhere south of Chicago, IL
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Yup - I have that link posted above. My wife said she'd take a day trip with me up to University of Chicago's library one of these days, and we'll see what we can dig up. Problem is, based on the link Chuck posted, I'm not sure we'll find what we're looking for - and that's the problem. I've not found model numbers listed in the catalogs, so I have rather low expectations at the moment.
Let us know what you find out, if anything, Brian!
--------------------
- Celestron C8+, Orion 90mm f/10, Orion ST-80, 5" f/8 Dob, 127mm f/9.4 refractor, 114mm f/8 on DS GoTo, 60mm Sears 6333-A, 127mm f4.4 refractor lens (current project), 12" f/5 mirror (future project)
- Orion Vista 10x50s (5 deg), Sears #6207 7x35 (7 deg), Jason #138 Statesman 7x35 (11.5 deg)
Yes, I'm addicted to telescopes and binoculars. I am getting help. Every time I look at the heavens, it helps.
http://www.eyesonthesky.com
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Chuck Faranda
super member
Reged: 03/31/07
Posts: 140
Loc: Florida
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I have the telescope pages in PDF format for the 1972 Fall/Winter and the 1965 Spring/Summer. I sent them to Robert to include on his classic maual site. If you want them sooner I'll email them to all that want them.
--------------------
Regards,
Chuck Faranda
See my vintage scopes at http://ccdastro.com/vintage.html
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nytewind1
journeyman
Reged: 02/26/09
Posts: 5
Loc: Mooresville, NC
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I visited the library at UNC-Greensboro and spent some time in the microfile room. I managed to get the telescope pages from the Sears catalogs from 1966 thru 1976. I made copies of the pages from their old reader and printer and will try to enhance them before sending or posting. The index follows below. It appears that the model 6333 was first offered in 1969 and continued thru 1973. During this range, only 1970-1972 had the 6333 with the wooden tripod, the other years had metal tripods. I'm not sure of the meaning of the beginning part of the catalog numbers but the letter following the model number describes the mount type; L=Equitorial, C= Alt/Az, N=Motorized Equitorial. Hope this helps.
Brian G.
Spring/Summer 1966
4 K 6339L 3" 1200mm 199.95
4 K 6337L 2.4" 900mm 99.95
4 K 6320C 2.4" 700mm 49.95
4 K 6304C 50mm 19.98
Fall/Winter 1966
4 H 6339L 3" 1200mm 199.95
4 H 6305L 2.4" 900mm 99.95
4 H 6320C 2.4" 700mm 49.95
4 H 6304C 50mm 24.95
Spring/Summer 1967
4 A 6339L 3" 1200mm 199.98
4 A 6305L 2.4" 900mm 99.98
4 A 6320C 2.4" 700mm 49.98
4 A 6307C 2.4" 700mm 39.98
4 A 6304C 50mm 24.98
Fall/Winter 1967
4 G 6339L 3" 1200mm 199.98
4 G 6305L 2.4" 900mm 99.98
4 G 6309C 2.4" 700mm 59.98
4 G 6307C 2.4" 700mm 39.98
4 G 6304C 50mm 24.98
Spring/Summer 1968
4 K 6339L 3" 1200mm 199.98
4 K 6305L 2.4" 900mm 99.98
4 K 6309C 2.4" 700mm 59.98
4 K 6307C 2.4" 700mm 39.98
4 K 6304C 50mm 24.98
Fall/Winter 1968
4 H 6339L 3" 1200mm 199.99
4 H 6305L 2.4" 900mm 99.99
4 H 6309C 2.4" 700mm 59.99
4 H 6307C 2.4" 700mm 39.99
4 H 6304C 50mm 24.99
Spring/Summer 1969
4 A 6339L 3" 1200mm 199.99
4 A 6305L 2.4" 900mm 99.99
4 A 6309C 2.4" 700mm 59.99
4 A 6307C 2.4" 700mm 39.99
4 A 6304C 50mm 24.99
Fall/Winter 1969
4 G 6344L 3" 1200mm 199.99
4 G 6333L 2.4" 900mm 99.99
4 G 6343C 2.4" 700mm 59.99
4 G 6331C 2.4" 700mm 39.99
Spring/Summer 1970
4 K 6344L 3" 1200mm 199.99
4 K 6333L 2.4" 900mm 99.99
4 K 6343C 2.4" 700mm 59.99
4 K 6331C 2.4" 700mm 39.99
Fall/Winter 1970
4 H 6344L 3" 1200mm 189.99
4 H 6333L 2.4" 900mm 99.99
4 H 6343C 2.4" 700mm 59.99
4 H 6331C 2.4" 700mm 45.99
Spring/Summer 1971
4 A 6344L 3" 1200mm 199.99
4 A 6333L 2.4" 900mm 99.99
4 A 6343C 2.4" 700mm 64.99
4 A 6331C 2.4" 700mm 47.99
Fall/Winter 1971
4 G 6345N 3.5" 1400mm 399.99
4 G 6344L 3" 1200mm 209.99
4 G 6333L 2.4" 900mm 104.99
4 G 6343C 2.4" 700mm 64.99
Spring/Summer 1972
4 K 6333L 2.4" 900mm 104.99
Fall/Winter 1972
4 H 6345N 3.5" 1400mm 299.99
4 H 6344L 3" 1200mm 199.99
4 H 6333L 2.4" 900mm 119.99
4 H 6343C 2.4" 700mm 64.99
Spring/Summer 1973
4 A 6344L 3" 1200mm 199.99
4 A 6335L 2.4" 900mm 117.99
Fall/Winter 1973
4 G 6344L 3" 1200mm 169.99
4 G 6333L 2.4" 900mm 99.99
Spring/Summer 1974
None Listed
Fall/Winter 1974
3 H 4450L 2.4" 900mm 169.99
3 H 4425C 2.4" 700mm 74.99
Spring/Summer 1975
None Listed
Fall/Winter 1975
3 G 4450L 2.4" 900mm 174.99
3 G 4431C 2.4" 700mm 98.99
3 G 4425C 2.4" 700mm 74.99
3 G 4420C 50mm 67.99
Spring/Summer 1976
3 K 4450L 2.4" 900mm 178.99
3 K 4426C 2.4" 700mm 78.99
Fall/Winter 1976
3 H 4451L 2.4" 900mm 178.99
3 H 4431C 2.4" 700mm 119.99
3 H 4426C 2.4" 700mm 78.99
3 H 4420C 50mm 67.99
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